Welcome to Transformative Healing Dolls BLOG

...It's been a slow process but he's almost done......He now has a headpiece, a base and more detail on his cloak. And because of the way he was constructed, he stands crookedly, symbolizing a healer who himself has gone through struggles, requiring his own healing. He watches over me in my studio now as I work. I have lots planned for him. (Stacey and I still haven't heard about the venue for Materialized Magic, where he will be a centerpiece, more about that soon, hopefully...) I've been working on a couple flip dolls which will be in a show at the Torpedo Factory in November if all goes well. It's been fun but much quieter and slower working in my new studio at the Jackson Art Center. I'm on their website now, take a look.

I'm going away for a couple weeks in August so won't be in my studio during that time. Hopefully once I'm back, I'll be able to start my next big doll and finish the flip doll. Below is a little preview of the flip doll. Lots to do on the skirt still. I've decided to name the top doll, Miranda, with her winged horse companion, Pegasus. The bottom doll is Barbie, with an Anita Bryant nagging character coming out of her shoulder. This alter ego doll is about opposite sides of my personality.

The concept of "flip doll" or sometimes, "topsy turvy" doll has to do with two aspects of a personality, sometimes opposite, sometimes related. A common theme for flip dolls is "little red riding hood" and the wolf. I've also read some intriguing notes about flip dolls that were created for slave children in the American south. One theory was that because black children weren't allowed to have white dolls, their mothers would make flip dolls for their children. The black characters could be flipped so that the white doll showed on the other side when no one was looking.

Briefly, Miranda was inspired by the Shambhala concept of "windhorse." It has to do with being centered in the present moment completely, seated comfortably in the saddle, ready for whatever life brings. (I've had some positive experiences with the DC Shambhala center, and have offered a couple of workshops there.) The opposite of windhorse for me is the Barbie doll, who is focused on how she looks, what the expectations are from the outside. And to make it worse, she has an Anita Bryant like figure on her shoulder, nagging at her, criticizing her and expecting perfection. Yet, it seems important to me that they are connected. I am very intrigued now by this idea of the flip doll. My sense is that the Miranda doll creates an atmosphere of acceptance, so that the positive aspects of both sides shine forth.

In any case, happy summer everyone!! Stay tuned for more updates next month!

Erika

I've been making dolls for about five years now. I believe that dolls serve as representations and reminders of the best part of ourselves. I am exited to share with you here my learnings about new methods and techniques for doll making and healing. So glad you are here!